The Black Donnellys

No surprises, we knew he as gonna get his hiney kicked, we were a little surprised when the cops showed up 'cause his brother ratted him out to save his life, but not really; that move was, after all, also anticipated. That has to be the problem with this show; it simply doesn't shock or surprise much. The reason that such is postulated is because the acting is superb, the actors have meaningful "pull me into the drama" presence, it's just the presence isn't there. Despite that this show will likely be a hit, which raises the question as to, why?

It might be the writers: "Academy Award winners Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco ("Crash") are the creators and executive producers of NBC's "The Black Donnellys", a gritty new crime-drama series filmed in New York City and loosely based on Moresco's background. On March 5, 2006, Haggis became the first person in the history of the Academy Awards to write two back-to-back Best Picture Winners, for "Crash" and the previous year's winner, "Million Dollar Baby. ... Born in New York City in 1951 and raised in the Hell's Kitchen district of Manhattan, Moresco began studying acting with the widely respected Wynn Handman and Peggy Fuery, founders of the American Place Theatre and Loft Theatre, respectively. Around that time, Moresco opened the Actor's Gym in New York and moved the company to Los Angeles in 1978. Over the years, Moresco has written, produced and/or directed over 35 theatrical productions." [NBC]

It might be the actors: Who add touches of deeply developed class to the roles they portray - one thing is for sure, as we follow their lives, we aren't bored with it, but on the other hand, we aren't shocked too terribly by how tough we know the street to be.

Actor ====================Character in the Show

Thomas Guiry -============ Jimmy Donnelly

Jonathan Tucker ===========Tommy Donnelly

Billy Lush =================Kevin Donnelly

Michael Stahl-David =========Sean Donnelly

Olivia Wilde=============== Jenny Reilly

Kirk Acevedo ==============Nicky Cottero

Keith Nobbs ==============Joey Ice Cream

This lack of surprise is not stranger to programs with this depth. It can be engrossing, and such has been shown to be a factor in movies like "Remember the Titans," or "Facing the Giants," movies which hinge on great acting about reality. This television show is in that genre.

It might be the power: Real drama has power, because we realize that while we might not like it, nor approve of it, somewhere in this world; this kind of life is being lived. The hit "Soprano's" brings this type of edgy production to the fore. There is some conjecture that such thinking is jaded analysis and that many fans aren't shocked by this show. The current muddle points to identification with many of the character traits portrayed so realistically by these talented folk.

It might be ...you, you watch it: There is a factor to television that critics of free will love, it's their favorite statement when someone says they don't like gritty realism on screen, to say "nobody forced you to watch it, you have a remote, and an on/off switch." And it's a gruesome testimonial to television and media as a powerhouse event that seldom, do those factors; enter in to the decision about what is being watched.